United States AttorneyDistrict of Maryland

Prince George’s County Crack Dealer Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison on Gun and Drug Charges

Attempted Home Invasion Led to the Discovery of the Guns and Drugs in Miller’s Apartment

Greenbelt, Maryland — U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. sentenced Derek Jermaine Miller, a/k/a Reds, and Big Reds, age 40, of Forestville, Maryland, today to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Debbie D. Bullock of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to Miller’s guilty plea, on November 5, 2008, law enforcement officers responded to a 911 call for a home invasion in progress at an apartment complex in Forestville, Maryland. According to the victim, an unknown male forced entry into her apartment while she was sleeping. The unknown male pointed a gun at the victim’s head and threatened to shoot her if she did not tell him where Big Red was and where the cocaine was. The unknown male then forced the victim to the door of Miller’s apartment, told her to knock on the door and ask for Big Red. The victim complied, and Miller opened the door. The unknown male attempted to force his way into Miller’s apartment, but Miller was able to close the door. The unknown male then began shooting at the door to Miller’s apartment.

Law enforcement officers spoke to Miller in his apartment. During the conversation officers saw a Glock Model 17 9mm pistol and a white powdery substance, both in plain view, on the dining room table, and obtained a search warrant for the apartment. During the search, law enforcement located – in addition to the firearm previously described – a loaded .44 caliber Israel Industries Model Desert Eagle pistol, eight rounds of .44 magnum ammunition, twenty rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, 37 rounds of 9mm ammunition, approximately $11,156 in cash, twelve watches, two silver necklaces (one with a diamond pendant), and a separate silver pendant with diamonds. From various locations around the apartment law enforcement recovered a total of over 1.6 kilograms of crack cocaine, as well as 371.5 grams of powder cocaine, and marijuana. From a search of Miller, law enforcement recovered approximately 21 baggies containing a total of approximately 21.89 grams of crack cocaine.

Judge Williams ordered that Miller forfeit the cash, jewelry, guns and ammunition seized during the search.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Arun G. Rao and Deborah Johnston, who prosecuted the case.

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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives United States Department of Justice